Denton Handyman Says Get your Heating System Ready for Winter Now!

Handyman Services in Denton provide tips for consumers on preparing their heating system for the cold winter ahead:

Last fall my house was not ready for the cold weather. We waited until the last minute to turn our furnace on and, not surprising, it didn’t run properly, and we ultimately spent a lot of money for emergency heat calls. I also want to get my sprinkler system ready for the winter. This year we want to be prepared -- where should we start? -John, Dearborn


Hi John,

Start preparing now in the fall. It is a good idea to inspect every aspect of your home before the cold weather hits. Getting your furnace checked is one of the most important things to do before winter is here. Being prepared will not only put you at ease but will save you a lot of time and money during the winter.

The first thing to do is inspect your furnace. To ensure efficiency, the furnace should be inspected before the heating season. Note: the same goes for your air conditioner before the cooling season. Get it inspected to ensure all aspects are running right. Be sure your ducts are clean, and change the filter, which should be checked every month throughout the heating season.

A licensed heating expert with 30 years of experience, Paul Fallert owner of Fallert Heating and Cooling of South Lyon advises people to inspect every aspect of the heating system.

“The inspection ensures your furnace is safe and running at peak efficiency,” explains Fallert.

It is most important to clean and adjust the burners, check the heat exchanger for holes or cracks and always test for any carbon monoxide leaks. He also says right now is a good time to upgrade to a 95 percent efficiency furnace because of the income tax credits and rebates, which may be ending December 2010.

A malfunctioning furnace could potentially put your family in danger from carbon monoxide poisoning. Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector installed. If you currently have a detector, change the batteries every six months. It is also important to clear the area around your furnace, make sure there is nothing near it that could cause a fire hazard.

If your fireplace gets used a lot during the cold weather, inspect it too. Test the damper, and be sure it closes and opens properly. If the chimney hasn’t been cleaned in a while, get it cleaned. When a buildup of creosote, which is the residue of the wood that is burned, is an eight of an inch, then it is time to clean. It is important to clean it out, because it will help release smoke more efficiently, and the buildup of creosote could catch on fire. Another good project for the fall is to add a screen to the top of the chimney. It will keep out birds, rodents and any debris.

According to Plumb Pro’s Walter Zarb a master plumber for 35 years, October is a good time to get your outdoor plumbing ready for the winter.

“A good practice is to turn off the stop and waste shut off valve inside the house that is connected to the outside faucets,” Zarb says. This will shut the water off that is supplied to any outdoor spigots and garden hoses. “Be sure to drain the water in the pipes that run between the shut off valve and the supply bib as well,” he adds.

If you have a sprinkler system, it should be blown out professionally with a high power air compressor to ensure all of the water is removed from the system entirely. If the system does freeze, it is an expensive repair. Zarb also shares a good tip for winter vacationers: simply turn your water off completely at the water meter. Turning it off will avoid pipes bursting because they froze, just in case the furnace does fail and the home is left with no heat. It could save a lot of money, and you would avoid a lot of damage.

Keith Paul is a State of Michigan licensed builder and the president and founding member of nationally franchised HandyPro Handyman Services, working in Washtenaw, Wayne and Oakland Counties.

HandyPro Handyman Services specializes in handling small home repairs and remodeling projects as well as commercial building maintenance. No job is too small to be handled professionally.

Keith Osterman is your friendly neighborhood Delmarva handyman serving homes and businesses in Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne and Sussex Counties, Denton, Easton, St. Michaels, Centerville, Queenstown, Harrington, Seaford, 21629, 21601, 21663, 21617, 21658, and neighboring cities and communities.

Keith is happy to provide a variety of services including seasonal maintenance, gutter cleaning, trash hauling, demolition, home repairs, odd jobs and more.

What’s on your to-do list? HandyPro Handyman Services offers affordable solutions to a wide variety of home repairs and maintenance projects. HandyPro specializes in helping the homeowner, business or property manager have minor repairs completed professionally, in a timely manner, and guarantees 100% customer satisfaction.

Carpentry, Plaster, Drywall, Acoustic Ceilings, Grout tub, fix leaky faucet, home warranty/maintenance, paint home, caulk bathtub, replace locks, garage doors, cabinets, countertops, fix running toilet, repair squeaky door, install molding, security services, stained glass, door repair/install, drywall repair, painting, kitchen, insulation, concrete, masonry, repair gutters, remove wallpaper, replace ceiling fan, caulk awning, siding repair, install shelves, organizers, ceramic tile, window well covers, replace bathroom fan, draperies, blinds, shades, glass, mirrors, decks, and much more…just ask!